Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny) in Canada

Many Muslims in Canada celebrate Laylat al Qadr, also spelled as Laylat al-Qadr or Shab-e-Qadr, which most likely falls on one of the last 10 days of the Islamic month of Ramadan. Also known as the Night of Power or the Night of Destiny, it commemorates the night when God (Allah) revealed the Qur’an (or Koran), which is the Islamic holy book, to the prophet Muhammad (also known as Mohammad), according to Islamic belief.

What do people do?

Many Muslim Canadians believe that Laylat al Qadr marks the time when the Qur’an’s first verses were revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammed. It is also believed that this night marks their fate in the following year. Therefore, many Muslims pray in the night to God for mercy, forgiveness, and salvation. This practice is also called Ehyaa.

This "Night of Power" is considered the most appropriate time of the entire year to pray for salvation and blessings. It is believed that a Muslim’s past sins are forgiven if the person prays throughout this night. Many Muslims assemble at mosques during the Isha’ prayer and pray until midnight.

Public life

Laylat al-Qadr is not a national public holiday in Canada. However, many Islamic organizations and businesses may alter their opening hours and there may be some congestion around mosques, particularly in the evening and at night.

Background

Laylat al Qadr commemorates the night in 610 CE when Allah revealed the Qur’an (Islamic holy book) to the prophet Muhammad. The angel Gabriel first spoke to the prophet during that time, which marked the beginning of Muhammed’s mission. These revelations continued throughout the remainder of his life, according to Islamic belief.

Children begin studying the Qur’an from an early age and they celebrate the moment when they have read all the chapters for the first time. Many adults try to memorize the Qur’an. The common belief that this day occurred on the 26th or 27th day of Ramadan has no Islamic base. It seems to have originated in Manichaeism where the death of Mani is celebrated on the 27th day of the fasting month. This day is also known as the Night of Power or the Night of Destiny.

There is a difference of opinion about the date for Laylat al-Qadr but, in general, it is agreed that it is most likely to be in the last 10 nights of Ramadan, with the odd nights being more likely. Of the odd nights, the night of the 27th (which is the night before the 27th of Ramadan, as the Islamic day starts with nightfall) is most likely, according to many Muslim scholars.

About Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny) in other countries

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny) Observances

Note: Regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. The Islamic calendar is lunar and the days begin at sunset, so there may be one-day error depending on when the New Moon is first seen.Select another year-range:

Weekday

Date

Year

Name

Holiday type

Where it is observed

Sun

Apr 22

1990

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Thu

Apr 11

1991

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Mon

Mar 30

1992

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Sat

Mar 20

1993

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Wed

Mar 9

1994

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Sun

Feb 26

1995

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Fri

Feb 16

1996

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Tue

Feb 4

1997

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Sun

Jan 25

1998

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Thu

Jan 14

1999

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Mon

Jan 3

2000

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Sat

Dec 23

2000

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Wed

Dec 12

2001

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Sun

Dec 1

2002

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Fri

Nov 21

2003

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Wed

Nov 10

2004

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Sun

Oct 30

2005

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Thu

Oct 19

2006

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Mon

Oct 8

2007

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Sat

Sep 27

2008

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Wed

Sep 16

2009

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Sun

Sep 5

2010

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Fri

Aug 26

2011

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Tue

Aug 14

2012

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Sat

Aug 3

2013

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Thu

Jul 24

2014

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Mon

Jul 13

2015

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Sat

Jul 2

2016

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Wed

Jun 21

2017

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Sun

Jun 10

2018

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Fri

May 31

2019

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Tue

May 19

2020

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

Muslim

Quick Facts

Laylat al-Qadr is most likely to be held on one of the last 10 days of month of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar.

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny) 2015

Monday, July 13, 2015

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny) 2016

Saturday, July 2, 2016

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Name in other languages

Name

Language

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny)

English

Laylat al-Qadr (Nuit du Destin)

French

Lailat al-Qadr (Nacht der Bestimmung)

German

Note: Regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. The Islamic calendar is lunar and the days begin at sunset, so there may be one-day error depending on when the New Moon is first seen.List of dates for other years